Pienaar secures world champion title
Charlene Pienaar hopes her victory will afford more disabled women the opportunity to play the game.
Ekurhuleni’s Charlene Pienaar became South Africa’s first female disabled world champion at the 2023 ISPS Handa IBGA World Blind Championships at Milnerton Golf Club in Cape Town on Friday.
A mere two days after she lifted the women’s title in the South African Blind Open, South Africa’s Pienaar was in ascendancy again – this time challenging for a first world title in the B3 Division in the international tournament at the same venue.
Sleeping on an overnight lead of six shots, the petite golfer withstood the challenge posed by a vicious south-westerly wind, gusting up to 35km per hour throughout the round and held off Austrian Karin Becker to prevail by five strokes.
“It is an amazing feeling to lift the trophy, especially after contending in this difficult wind. I am extremely thankful,” said Pienaar, who carded rounds of 101 and 114.
She hopes her victory will afford more disabled women the opportunity to play the game.
“I hope this victory will open up more doors, not only for myself but for other younger players as well as for more women to participate globally.”
England’s Ros Weir was third.
Canadian Kiefer Jones won the men’s B3 division while John Eakin and Paul McKenzie were second and third respectively.
